Oil Tanker Sounion Safely Towed to Safety Following Houthi Red Sea Attack.

The Greek-registered oil tanker MT SOUNION, carrying approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil, was successfully towed to safety in the Red Sea following a complex salvage operation under the protection of the EU-led Operation ASPIDES. The vessel had been set on fire by Houthi militias last month while passing through the Red Sea on August 21, and had remained anchored and burning off the coast of Yemen until the recent weekend. The towing operation, the first step in a challenging salvage process, was completed without any oil leakage, with the next phase involving the reloading of the cargo.

Environmental concerns are paramount as the sinking of the ship could potentially result in one of the largest tanker oil spills in history, posing a significant threat of catastrophic environmental damage in an area vulnerable to Houthi attacks. Saudi Arabia is anticipated to provide assistance with the cargo transfer, as ASPIDES continues to monitor the situation and safeguard freedom of navigation in the operational area, emphasizing the protection of seafarers’ lives and global commons.

Since November 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have carried out numerous attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, citing solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Gaza conflict. These attacks have led to the sinking of two ships and the loss of four sailors, with one vessel, the Galaxy Guide, still stranded with its crew.

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